Lexington Park basketball event held in honor of Syncere Smith – Bay Net

LEXINGTON PARK, Maryland – At just 16 years old, Syncere Kovey Smith had a long life ahead of him. However, it all came to an end after he was killed in a shooting at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Carnival on July 15.

Syncere’s main passion was basketball, his next big goal was to continue playing in college and then one day hopefully make it to the NBA.

One of the many things his teammates and coaches all remember about Syncere is his drive and determination.

“His passion and his heart” is what head coach Casey Wilkerson will remember most of Syncere.

“He wanted to go to college and play basketball, and we were going to work. All that month we practiced and went to college showcases so he could be seen. We were doing highlight videos and everything for him… He loved everyone around him, he had a huge impact on me and a huge impact on the team.

Syncere played for the Pax River World Ballers AAU team. He mainly played the Small and Power Forward positions. Coach Wilkerson described him as a versatile player who would do anything she asked of him.

The Pax River World Ballers are a brand new team formed this year. Coach Wilkerson only coached Syncere for about five months, but she says those five months “felt like a lifetime”.

Coach Wilkerson wanted to do something special for the Syncere family of his mother and five siblings.

So she decided to host a basketball event at Willow’s Recreation Center where her AAU team players and anyone who wanted to play in her honor could come out and play ball.

The evening consisted of many pickup games such as Knock Out, King of the Court and a 3v3 tournament. Later in the evening, they also held a candle-lighting ceremony and a prayer.

All proceeds from this event went to the Syncere family.

This event was meant to celebrate Syncere Smith and remember how much he meant to everyone he knew.

It was even more special that his friends, family and teammates could remember him playing the game he loved and shared with so many people.

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